thomas



(N0 Mdel.) 2 sheets-Psheet l. J. S. THOMAS.

LAMP SIGN.

No. 274,411. Patented Mar.20,188i3.

PETERS. Pimlu'ljwgnchlr. Wakinmn D. C.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. S. THOMAS.

LAMP SIGN. No. 274,411. Patented Mar.20,1883.

JWTNESSES: MENTOR f i W W I Attormy n4 PETERS, mmum m. .Wnldnkom mu UNITED STATES PATENT Orrrcn.

JAMES S. THOMAS, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TO EDWARD SMITH, 0F SAME PLACE.

LAMP-SIGN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,411, dated March 20, 1883.

Application filed April 18, 1882. ("No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES S. THOMAS, a resident of the city of New Orleans, parish of Orleans, and State of Louisiana, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in LampSigns; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and correct description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification.

I am aware that lamp-signs have heretofore been constructed with open spaces around and between the letters thereof, so as to permit the light to shine through the same. In this particular class patents have been issued for signs having wire frames with upper and lower extremities oi'separate letters connected with the top and bottom parts of the frame, and the said frame connected at one of its ends by a cleat or swivel-joint and at the other end by a hook or catch. These signs are more or less defective, for the reason that noless the frames are constructed of heavy material they are apt, when their free ends are loosened, to bend or break at their articulated ends. Besides, owing to the extremities of the letters being attached to the frame, the said parts lack the clearness which a sign of this class should possess.

Now, my improvement consists in constructin g the frames of sheet metal and in cutting the ends of each piece of same so that when joined together the top and bottom strips shall be at an incline to the front edges thereof. 1 make the frame of less height than the letters, and secure the latter to the front edges of the top and bottom pieces of the former, with their upper and lower extremities projecting above and below the said portions of the frame. Thus the outline of each letter is preserved and a perfectly clear and distinct sign obtained, the frame being scarcely discernible from a limited distance from the base of the 1am p-support.

My invention will be readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, on which Figure 1 is a front view, and Fig. 2 an end view, thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection through the dotted line m w of Fig. l; and Fig. 4., Sheet 2, a perspective view of an ordinary street-lamp with my improved signs fitted thereto.

The letters A B designate the upper and lower strips of the sign. These are made of sheet-tin or other similar material, and secured to the end pieces, 0 d, at an incline, as more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, so that when looking up at the sign, when completed and placed in position, the front edges of the said strips A B shall alone'be visible. The letters are secured to the front edges of the top and bottom strips of the sign either by solder or other means, with their extremities projecting above and below the same as shown, thus prod ncin g a perfectly clear and distinct sign.

The ends of the frame may be beveled and provided with flanges, as at c f, soas to fit within the lamp and rest in the corners thereof; or the said ends may be otherwise constructed, so as to suit the style of lamp to which they are to be applied.

Havingdescribed myinvention,'whatl claim as new, and desirefio secure by Letters Patent, lS

1. A lamp-sign, composed of a sheet-metal frame, having an upper strip, A, and lower strip B, set at an incline from the front edges of the lamp, the said strips being adapted to hold the letters of the sign, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a lamp-sign, a sheet-metal frame having an upper and lower metal strip set at an incline from the front edge of the lamp, and

having letters secured to the edges of thestrips, so that the extremities of the letters shall project above and below the frame, whereby the full outline'of the letters is exposed, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name.

JAMES S. THOMAS.

In presence of- En'SMrrH, J. O. HUBBELL. 

